Federer off to winning start

Three-time champion Roger Federer earned his 30th match win at the BNP Paribas Open, defeating Igor Andreev 7-5, 7-6(4) in his second-round opening match in Indian Wells.

Federer won the last 10 points of the first set and opened the second with a break. Though Andreev got back on serve at 2-all, he was unable to extend the match to a third set as the Swiss improved to a 4-1 mark in tie-breaks this season.

“I had a good ten minutes where I was able to get up 7-5, 2-0,” said Federer, who improved to a 4-0 mark against Andreev. “After [that[ he found his way into the match, and it really became competitive. I really thought it was a good end to the match on both sides. I played a really good tie-break, which obviously makes things better towards the end.”

The 29-year-old Swiss, who won consecutive Indian Wells titles from 2004-06, trails just Andre Agassi on the list of win-loss leaders at the year’s first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. Agassi compiled a 31-13 record over 15 visits since 1990.

Date: 14.03.2011, Source: ATP